The University of Malta yesterday honoured the late Maltese folklorist and its former librarian, Guzè Cassar Pullicino by naming a building after him.

Rector Juanito Camilleri unveiled a plaque in a simple ceremony held in front of the Guzè Cassar Pullicino building, the former MUS building opposite it-Tajra playschool.

The rector said it was important for the 400-year-old university to instil a sense of community by commemorating its past.

He referred to the recently resumed custom of commemorating Foundation Day. Prof. Camilleri said the University of Malta is part of the country’s heritage and a player in its future. It can boast of several eminent Maltese who attended or taught at university, such as Mr Cassar Pullicino. He thanked Prof Henry Frendo for suggesting the late folklorist in naming the building, which houses the Institute of Maltese Studies and Institute of Small Island States. The rector said that in the near future the Guzè Cassar Pullicino building will house a Confucius Institute.

Library Services Director Anthony Mangion delivered a commemorative speech about Mr Cassar Pullicino, in which he remembered their close collaboration.

Guzè Cassar Pullicino was born at Birkirkara on 21 September, 1921. He was very active as a member of the Ghaqda tal-Malti, as assistant director of Lehen il-Malti. Mr Cassar Pullicino was council member of the Ghaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti and secretary of the Xirka ghat-Tixrid ta’ l-Ilsien Malti. He was also member of the Paola Literary and Debating society; editor of Melita Historica, editor of Maltese Folklore Review and honorary president of the Ghaqda tal-Folklor since its foundation in 1964.

He laid the foundations of the university’s Melitenisa Collection during his tenure as librarian of the Royal University of Malta from 1953 to 1958. He also taught Maltese Folklore, Literary and Social History and became a member of London’s Folklore Society in 1946.

In 1970 he received the Silver Medal for Merit from the Confederation of Civic Councils, and in 1979 he was awarded the Malta Literary Award. An M.Phil. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Malta, he was awarded the Midalja Ghall Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR) in 1993

Mr Cassar Pullicino’s widow, Celia Cassar Pullicino and son Dr Louis Cassar Pullicino were present for the ceremony.